What is Native American Heritage Month?
The month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples. It is an opportunity for education and for action:
- to expand our knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in the United States beyond what is taught in current school curriculums;
- to amplify the voices of Native American peoples and share their past and current struggles; and
- and to celebrate the culture, language, and traditions of Indigenous peoples and ensure future generations of Indigenous youth and adults feel a sense of belonging.
Shedding a Light on the Past: A Look at America's Native American Boarding Schools
This PBS documentary is a moving and insightful look into the history, operation, and legacy of the federal Indian Boarding School system, whose goal was total assimilation of Native Americans at the cost of stripping away Native culture, tradition, and language.
Past Accomplishments: Indigenous Women's Influence on the Women's Right Movement
This PBS documentary uncovers the hidden history of the profound influence Indigenous women had on the beginnings of the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States. Before the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848, European colonial women lacked even the most basic rights, while Haudenosaunee women had a potent political and spiritual voice and authority in all aspects of their lives.
Which tribes are located in Massachusetts?
- Nipmuc Nation: A state-recognized tribe, the Nipmuc Nation ancestral home is located at the Hassanamisco Reservation in Grafton, Massachusetts. This small 3-acre reservation is the only parcel of Nipmuc land never to have changed hands; its occupation by Nipmuc people dates back to before contact and colonization.
- Wampanoag Tribes: There are two federally-recognized tribes in Massachusetts (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe) and three state-recognized tribes (Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Assawompsett-Nemasket Band of Wampanoags, and Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe).
The Institute for New England Native American Studies at UMass Boston
The Institute for New England Native American Studies (INENAS) was established at the University of Massachusetts Boston in June 2009. Its mission is to develop collaborative relationships, projects, and programs between Native American tribes of the New England region and all of the UMass campuses so that the tribes may participate in and benefit from university research, innovation, scholarship, and education.
Save the Date: National Day of Mourning - November 25
National Day of Mourning is held on Thanksgiving Day every year in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We will send out a detailed communication around Thanksgiving and National Day of Mourning later this month. However, we wanted to share information around the outdoor event as well as the live stream in this communication so people interested in attending can plan accordingly. You can find the event details on the United American Indians of New England site.